JOHN GINTY AND NICOLA BRADLEY: HEMLINGTON ANIMAL CRUELTY AND ARSON CASES SHOCK TEESSIDE

John Ginty, a man notorious for his repeated acts of animal cruelty, along with his partner Nicola Bradley, have been at the center of a series of disturbing criminal cases in Hemlington, Middlesbrough. Their latest convictions, which include multiple offences related to animal abuse and neglect, have drawn significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations alike.

Ginty and Bradley were found guilty of seven separate charges of animal cruelty, stemming from two police raids conducted at their residence on Dalwood Court in Hemlington. The first raid took place in March 2015, followed by a second in August of the same year. During the initial search, authorities discovered a troubling scene: several dogs wandering freely around the property, some visibly injured, and a number of animals confined within the backyard of the house.

Among the animals found were three lurchers and a Patterdale dog, along with two puppies nursing their mother in the house. One of the lurchers was found with a leg injury, which Ginty claimed had been caused when she got caught on a barbed wire fence during an outing involving 'lamping'—a practice of hunting with dogs at night. Another dog, a lurcher named Spike, was discovered in a closed shed with no access to water. Spike had a severe tail injury that later required amputation due to infection. Ginty stated he was unaware of the injury's severity, claiming he had simply cleaned the wound and applied purple spray, describing Spike as his 'blue-eyed boy.'

Further disturbing findings included a Shih Tzu with an infected eye that had to be removed, which Ginty claimed he was unaware of because the long fur covering the dog's face obscured the injury. The garden surrounding the property was described as 'disgusting,' with large accumulations of faeces on the ground and a fox's tail hanging from a kennel, indicating neglect and poor living conditions for the animals.

In August 2015, authorities conducted another search, this time uncovering an agitated wild sparrowhawk kept in deplorable conditions. Prosecutor John Ellwood described the bird as jumping from its perch, landing in its own faeces and dog dirt, with no access to water and exposed to the elements. Ginty claimed he found the bird with 'kids by a beck' and took it into his care. The court was also informed that Ginty had previously received a warning from the RSPCA after being caught digging up a badger sett, during which he claimed he had lost a chihuahua dog down the hole.

Ginty’s history of animal cruelty and reckless behavior extended beyond neglect. He was dubbed the 'Hemlington Cowboy' after being jailed for six weeks in October 2015 for riding a horse at speed through a housing estate, despite being banned from doing so by a court order issued in June 2015. When authorities arrived at his home with an arrest warrant related to offences involving riding and tethering his pony, Ginty was reportedly stunned. A neighbor described him as someone who 'rides his pony around bare-back, like a cowboy,' but insisted he was not doing any harm.

Sentencing for Ginty and Bradley reflected the severity of their actions. Nicola Bradley received a 12-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation requirement, along with a fine of £500 and a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which she can appeal after five years. Ginty was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. He also received a ten-year ban on keeping animals, with the possibility of appeal after five years.

Just ten days after these convictions, Ginty faced further legal trouble. He was sentenced to nine years and three months in prison after admitting to setting a fire that endangered lives. The incident involved him using nail polish remover to ignite a motorbike stored in his back garden, which resulted in two explosions. The fire spread rapidly, threatening a nearby home where four children were sleeping. Police officers, passing by at the right moment, managed to wake the family and evacuate them safely. CCTV footage captured Ginty and another man leaving the scene as the blaze engulfed the property.

Initially denying responsibility, Ginty later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, theft from a car, burglaries, going equipped for burglary, and possession of a knife. The court heard that Ginty’s actions were reckless, and his lawyer, Dan Cordey, argued that the fire was an unintended consequence of an attempt to set fire to a motorbike. Ginty, who was under the influence of alcohol and medication at the time, had little recollection of the incident. The judge sentenced him to five years and three months in prison, with a two-thirds serve before parole eligibility and a four-year extended license period.

Ginty’s criminal record is extensive, with previous convictions for animal cruelty, illegal hunting, and reckless behavior. His actions have caused significant distress within the Hemlington community and have prompted calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws and greater oversight of individuals with histories of such offenses. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable animals and holding offenders accountable for their actions.